He spoke about the methods of some large publishers during an extensive feature about the growth of creator-owned properties by Multiversity Comics.

"Well, I think a lot of it has to do with creators realising they don't have to toil away in a culture of intimidation and fear to be successful in this business," said Stephenson.

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"A lot of people aren't familiar with how the comics industry actually works, but there's a lot of bullying that goes on behind the scenes, on a lot of different levels, and I think many creators have grown tired of being wined and dined by their pal in talent management so that anecdotal information about their personal lives can then be turned over to some desperate little suit who calls up and makes all these veiled threats about their family's well-being while hammering them with a contract.

"It's a story I've heard more and more often the last few years, and it's almost comical, like a bad TV movie version of how the comics business works.

"It's not everyone or everywhere, but there really is a consistent pattern of behaviour that involves degrading talent in order to buy their loyalty, and I think people are getting wise to it."

DC Comics has been struck by a string of creative departures in the last two years, most recently Batwoman's JH Williams III and W Haden Blackman.

Image has consistently been adding some of the biggest names in comics to its slate of creator-owned titles.